Andújar hopes to follow A-Rod’s path

César Augusto Márquez

The chorus from the Yankee Stadium bleachers was as clear as it was loud before a game against the Indians in May to honor one of the Bronx  Bombers’ most important rookies “Andújar! Andújar!”

Miguel Andújar, 23, never imagined receiving ovations at Yankee Stadium while playing third base at Yankee Stadium, the same position where his idol, Alex Rodriguez was just two years ago.

“I always admired Alex Rodriguez,” Andújar told La Vida Baseball. “Wearing the New York Yankees’ uniform and playing third base for this team like he did is something special to have a career like his.”

Andújar was born in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic. Although he grew up 14 miles from the capital of Santo Domingo, the land of sluggers such as José Guillén and Raúl Mondesí, he grew up admiring a New York-born Dominican, Rodríguez.

“I have admired Alex Rodriguez for a long time, and he has been very influential in my career,” he said. “When I was starting in the minor leagues, he came up to me one day and told me to remain humble and never stop working hard.

“I’m not going to forget it. I think those words changed my career, and I appreciate it.”

When thinking back at the obstacles he had to overcome on his journey to the majors, Andújar starts with the struggle to learn and master a new language in the minor leagues.

“During my way in the minor leagues, one of my biggest difficulties was learning English,” he said. “It’s something I’ve been working on. At the beginning of my career I had a lot of difficulties communicating to express myself in everyday aspects such as asking for food, among many other things.

Andújar has made his presence felt since his debut in the majors, when he drove in four runs and became the first Yankee to have at least three hits and at least four RBIs in his major league debut.

The four RBIs in the big league debut broke a record that hadn’t been matched in nearly more than half a century. Legendary Yankees figure Billy Martin (1950) and Marv Throneberry (1955) owned the previous franchise record for the most RBIs in a big league debut with three.

Andújar also became the fifth Yankee since 1913 and the first in 70 years to get on base four times in his big league debut. Andújar is one of 14 Yankees to reach base at least three times in their debut since 1913, but he is only the fourth to accomplish that feat since 1950.

The new generation Yankee

Miguel Andújar is part of an impressive crop of Baby Bombers. He played in the minors with Gleyber Torres and Aaron Judge.

“I grew up with Gleyber,” he said. “Along with a lot of my teammates, I think this is a generation that can be talented, not just with him, but with Judge. Sometimes I think we’re learning in the same way we grew up as players.

“Just as we won in the minor leagues, we will be able to do it in the major leagues.”

Andújar is grateful for the advice he has received from several veteran teammates, including Didi Gregorius and Gary Sánchez.

“I think that Didi has been a great leadership figure within this team,” Andújar said. “Despite being a young player, he has experience and he was a key player in a tournament like the World Baseball Classic. Whenever he can, he advises us.

“In the case of Gary Sánchez, I think he has been very important for the players of our generation. Especially during the winter when we worked hard he helped train is, and that’s part of the reason I got in shape for the season.”

Andújar continues to live his dream in a big city like New York. His name is often chanted at Yankee Stadium, but he does not flinch.

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